HOUSE ETHICS MOVES. USAT. “In one of its first actions of the new year, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved rules changes that could give lawmakers a new defense against ethics investigations.”
JUDICIAL ROLLBACK. MM.org. “Major network newscasts have given almost no coverage to an upcoming Supreme Court case that will decide whether judicial candidates can personally solicit campaign donations — despite the risk of corruption.”
PAY TO PLAY AND 16. Corpcounsel.com. “Those in the financial services industry—specifically those who are, or work for, registered investment advisors—who are interested in contributing to candidates should recognize that there may be a significant level of risk created by the federal rule and state pay-to-play rules.”
A 15 FIRST. Yahoo News. “Less than a week into the new year, the first super PAC of 2015 has officially formed — and it’s not the group anticipated to bolster a Jeb Bush presidential bid.”
SUPER PAC MOVE. Newsobserver.com. “Ben Ray, who was with the Forward N.C. organization that helped U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan’s re-election campaign, is moving to the national super PAC American Bridge.”
SUPER PAC LAUNCH. PRnewsire.com. “Supporters of Governor Sarah Palin announce the formation of The Political Earthquake PAC/Grassroots4Palin, a Super PAC which will independently advocate on behalf of Palin and the leadership and vision that she has for our nation.”
MO: REFORM PROPOSED. Daily Journal Online. “Secretary of State Jason Kander Monday announced legislation to overhaul Missouri’s worst-in-the-nation ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws.”
NJ: COMPLAINT FILED. NJ.com. “A Democratic group with ties to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Ethics Commission over Gov. Chris Christie’s recent trip to Dallas to root for the Cowboys.”
NJ: COWBOY PROBE MULLED. CNN. “Chris Christie’s decision to accept a plane ride and a box seat at Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys game has Democrats considering an investigation and even some Republicans questioning the New Jersey governor’s judgment.”
NJ: STATE OF ETHICS LAW. WSJ. “Bill Schluter, a former Republican member of the New Jersey State Ethics Commission, said the governor should be subjected to stricter ethical oversight, including a requirement to disclose gifts the way other state officials and lawmakers must.”
PA: SUPER PAC LAUNCH. PoliticsPA. “The American Future Fund, an Iowa-based super PAC founded by former Mitt Romney aides and linked to the Koch brothers, announced a multimedia advertising and advocacy ”
VA: REFORM CALL. 13 News. “One day after his predecessor was sentenced to prison on 11 felony corruption charges, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe once again urged state lawmakers to pass meaningful ethics reforms in the Old Dominion.”
HAVE A GOOD DAY.